Carbon-fiber, metal-matrix fabrication

Applied Sciences, Inc. has, in the past few years, used the fixed catalyst fiber to fabricate and analyze VGCF-reinforced composites which could be candidate materials for thermal management substrates in high density, high power electronic devices and space power system radiator fins and high performance applications such as plasma facing components in experimental nuclear fusion reactors. These composites include carbon/carbon (CC) composites, polymer matrix composites, and metal matrix composites (MMC). Measurements have been made of thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), tensile strength, and tensile modulus. Representative results are described below. 

Carbon fiber is immersed in molten Cu or Sn (liquid metal transfer agent) in which a refractory element (W, Cr, Ti) is dissolved. The molten Cu or Sn must not attack the carbon fiber and the transfer agent is removed by dissolving in liquid A1 (e.g. Cu/10%Ti at 1050°C or Sn/l%Ti at 900-1050°C) [33]. This process produces a wire preform, which can be used to fabricate an A1 matrix composite. 

A number of useful reviews detailing composite fabrication have been written [43,116 122]. The general methods for forming carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix... 

Oxides such as alumina (AI2O3) are generally not suitable matrix materials in carbon-fiber composites as the carbon reduces the oxide to form metal carbide and CO during the fabrication process. The oxidation of the carbon fiber may be sufficient to generate a high partial pressure of CO which results in the formation of gas bubbles and cracks in the oxide.l ... 

Reinforced Plastic n (RP) A plastic composition in which are embedded fibers that are much stronger and typically much stifier than the matrix resin. The reinforcements are usually fibers, rovings, fabrics, or mats, or mixed forms of glass, carbon, asbestos, metals, ceramics, paper, sisal, cotton, or nylon. Resins most commonly used are polyesters, phenolics, aminos, siH-cones, epoxies, and various thermoplastics. The term reinforced plastic includes some forms of Laminate and molded parts in which the reinforcements are not in layered form. When the resin is thermoplastic, the term reinforced thermoplastic is often used. Methods of forming reinforced-plastics articles from thermosetting resins are defined under the entries Ksted below. 

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